Edited by Thijs ten Raa and Ronald Schettkat

The Paradox of Exploding Costs and Persistent Demand

Edited by
Thijs ten Raa and Ronald Schettkat

Problems arise if budgets for services are held constant whilst prices rise. Education, cultural activities and health services are under constant budgetary pressure. The authors argue that the price of commodities is linked to demand and price increases would therefore seem to threaten the very existence of these services. The paradox of these services is that in spite of their exploding costs, demand persists.